Because the reconnaissance squad was completely annihilated, and the Ninja Village Alliance headquarters still didn't know the tracks of Tanjiro, they were urgently discussing countermeasures on how to deal with this sudden appearance of a terrifying existence!
No wonder the Five Kage were so nervous. Upon seeing the detailed battle report sent from the Land of Grass front line, everyone in the headquarters, from the Five Kage to ordinary ninjas in the Intelligence and Communications Divisions, were all dumbfounded and in disbelief!
They knew 'Upper Rank One' was not easy to deal with, but they never expected it to be so exaggerated.
More than a thousand elites of the Ninja Village Alliance combined with eight formal members of the Akatsuki organization only barely forced the opponent back.
The Ninja Village Alliance suffered heavy casualties. Just the famous Jonin lost were countless.
The Akatsuki organization side was not having a good time either. Almost all eight formal members were injured.
Pakura still couldn't believe it: "How is this possible!?"
On the Ninja Village Alliance side, Kakashi, Guy, Yakumo, Ameyuri Ringo, Darui, Gaara, etc., were all very powerful ninjas.
The eight members of the Akatsuki organization also accounted for more than half of the Akatsuki organization's personnel.
With such luxurious combat power, even the Akatsuki leader Nagato or their Five Kage probably couldn't withstand it.
Yet they were utterly defeated by an 'Upper Rank One'!
Tsunade said: "That 'Upper Rank One' must have undergone some kind of mutation. Otherwise, it's really impossible to explain why he suddenly became so much stronger!"
The Fourth Raikage was somewhat impatient: "Analyzing how he became stronger is meaningless now. What we need to consider now is how we respond next!"
Pakura said: "That Demon can feast on fear. Ordinary ninjas are just burdens in front of him."
Tsunade nodded slightly: "So Kakashi proposed to take advantage of the opponent's poor condition and immediately organize an elite squad for encirclement and elimination!"
"The Akatsuki organization also suffered considerable losses this time, so they shouldn't interfere with our actions!" Pausing, Terumi Mei said: "But is Kakashi confident? He should be very clear that the headquarters can't give him much support anymore!"
After confirming the Fourth Mizukage was abducted by the Akatsuki organization, Terumi Mei, the Proxy Mizukage, had been proposed by the Hidden Mist elders and recognized by the Daimyo of the Land of Water, officially becoming the Fifth Mizukage.
And in Terumi Mei's view, even the new generation of 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen' like Ameyuri Ringo and Chojuro couldn't help much when confronting 'Upper Rank One', so the people qualified to participate in encircling 'Upper Rank One' were very limited.
Tsunade said: "According to Kakashi's speculation, 'Upper Rank One' has consumed all the stored chakra and the unique flesh and blood power of Demons in this great battle. So 'Upper Rank One' at this time should be very weak!"
Pakura said: "His speculation matches the analysis of the Intelligence Division."
The Third Tsuchikage spoke slowly: "The Akatsuki organization needs rest, and 'Upper Rank One' is in a weak period. Now is indeed a good time to solve this big trouble! Tell us, what is his plan?"
Tsunade began to introduce.
Kakashi's plan was simple. The way Demons replenished chakra and flesh and blood power was by devouring life. So Kakashi requested to mobilize the entire intelligence network of the Ninja Village Alliance to monitor all settlements in nearby countries, whether core towns or remote villages.
Once large-scale deaths were discovered, they would immediately rush over to encircle 'Upper Rank One'.
As for personnel, after evaluating the situation, Kakashi mobilized eight people: Guy, Chiriku, Yakumo, Gaara, Kurotsuchi, Darui, Ryuzetsu, and Chino.
In addition, for safety, he also requested the headquarters to deploy Shinji Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha, who stayed behind to guard the village, to assist in the operation.
After listening to Tsunade's introduction, the Kage nodded one after another.
Kakashi's consideration was quite comprehensive. Under the current situation where the tracks of 'Upper Rank One' were lost, all they could do was wait for the rabbit by the tree stump. Moreover, Kakashi chose to launch the operation in the form of an elite squad, which was very flexible and swift in action.
If luck stood on the ninja's side, maybe they could really solve the big trouble of 'Upper Rank One'.
Thus, the Five Kage unanimously passed Kakashi's proposal.
The transfer order was quickly conveyed to Konoha Village. Sasuke, who received the transfer order, was very helpless. He could only report to the headquarters about Shinji leading a team out of the village last night to hunt down Orochimaru while packing his bags to meet up with Kakashi's squad.
Land of Grass Camp.
The camp after the great battle was full of wounded everywhere. The entire camp was enveloped in a weird smell mixed with blood and herbs.
Despite this, Kakashi, who took over the camp, still ceaselessly mobilized personnel to search for the tracks of 'Upper Rank One'.
In the temporary command post, Kakashi was gathered with his squad members at this time, studying the map.
"This area, and this area, have already been searched. No tracks of 'Upper Rank One', so I suspect he should be in the territory of the Land of Earth now..."
Kakashi gestured on the map while stating his analysis.
Guy, Chiriku, Gaara and others would discuss a sentence or two from time to time. Ryuzetsu, Chino, and Darui were somewhat silent.
Ryuzetsu and Chino were in a bad mood because they messed up the previous battle. Darui was purely because his injuries hadn't healed yet. The restraining force of the 'Crimson Red Nichirin Blade' on wound recovery was very strong. Ameyuri Ringo, Chojuro, and Suigetsu, who were injured more heavily than him, hadn't gotten out of bed yet.
Yakumo was relatively relaxed because she already knew 'Upper Rank One' was solved by Shinji.
After discussion, Kakashi decided that the squad would set off for the Land of Earth first, and then wait for further news.
A few days later, in the territory of the Land of Earth, Kakashi's squad met up with Sasuke who hurried from Konoha.
After learning about the terror of 'Upper Rank One', Sasuke was not afraid, but instead showed an eager expression.
At the same time, Orochimaru, also resting in the Land of Earth, was finally intercepted by 'Itachi Uchiha'.
Looking at Itachi Uchiha in a red cloud cloak in front of him, Orochimaru's face was somewhat ugly.
He didn't understand why Itachi Uchiha would trouble him. One must know that he had reached an agreement with Obito not long ago.
Yakushi Kabuto was not very afraid of 'Itachi Uchiha', so he stepped forward and said: "With your wisdom, you should be clear that conflicting with us now is unwise!"
'Itachi Uchiha' didn't even look at Yakushi Kabuto, staring firmly at Orochimaru.
Feeling the killing intent surging from the opponent, Orochimaru's face darkened slightly, saying coldly: "I haven't settled the score with you for last time! Since you delivered yourself to the door, then I'll accept your pair of Mangekyo Sharingan!"